ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of postoperative symptom management based on symptom management theory on arteriovenous fistula in patients with chronic kidney disease.

MethodsUsing a quasi experimental study design, 84 patients with chronic kidney disease who planned to undergo arteriovenous fistula surgery were conveniently selected and divided into a control group of 41 cases and an observation group of 43 cases based on admission time.The control group received routine perioperative nursing, and the intervention group implemented a nursing intervention based on symptom management theory basis on the control group.The occurrence of symptoms such as limb bleeding, swelling, and thrombosis after arteriovenous fistula surgery in two groups of patients were evaluated, and their self-management ability and quality of life before and after intervention were compared.

ResultsThe postoperative bleeding, swelling, and thrombosis of the affected limb in the observation group were less than those in the control group (P <0.05 to P <0.01).Before intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in each dimension scores and total scores of self-management ability and quality of life between the two groups of patients (P >0.05).After intervention, each dimension scores and total scores of self-management ability and quality of life in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P <0.01).

ConclusionsNursing interventions based on symptom management theory can effectively reduce the occurrence of symptoms such as limb bleeding and swelling in patients with chronic kidney disease after arteriovenous fistula surgery, and help improve their self-management ability and quality of life.